Flanagan and the USSA coaches put her on an exercise bike and told her to pedal at a conversational pace for hours.

WSJ: U.S. Ski Team Pins Hopes for Sochi on Science

This eccentric take on training is on display at the USSA's Center for Excellence, down the road from the site of the 2002 Winter Olympics.

WSJ: U.S. Ski Team Pins Hopes for Sochi on Science

"I don't know that I ever expected us to be this good, " said Luke Bodensteiner, vice president for athletics at the USSA, who has been with the organization for 14 years.

WSJ: Skiing: Is America the New Austria? Lindsey Vonn,

Since 1997 the USSA has added about 17 full-time conditioning coaches, physiologists, nutritionists and psychologists, developed a training plan it shares with hundreds of junior clubs and started concentrating its spending on the top performers.

WSJ: Skiing: Is America the New Austria? Lindsey Vonn,

The multi-year deal, which according to USSA chief revenue and marketing officer Andrew Judelson includes a "significant cash component, " gives the team a winter home that includes housing, training facilities and easy access to top World Cup tour stops.

WSJ: Skiing: Is America the New Austria? Lindsey Vonn,

"Our mission is to be the best in the world and we measure that by winning Olympic medals, " said Bill Marolt, since 1996 the chief executive of the USSA, whose athletes won 21 of 37 U.S. medals in Vancouver in 2010, compared with 10 of 25 in Torino in 2006.

WSJ: U.S. Ski Team Pins Hopes for Sochi on Science